Bridges for Youth

There were over 80 murders in the big bad city last year.  Rapes, child abuse, drug abuse and other statistics were rising higher and higher.  Poverty imposed its walls around the city and only small rays of hope ever pierced through its ugliness.  A circumference of fear dictated the dangers of entering here.  Certainly the wise would not venture here, for what good could come of it.

The innocent children of this urban place, placed thoughts of survival above all else.  They thirsted for love in their ragged attire, and hungered to know why on earth they were born.  Their strength, it was failing, and corrupt voices were crying to serve a lying master. Vessels of truth and Good News were but few, so the  children  they faltered and followed deceptions.    A stronghold for Satan had arisen and therefore the light of God’s love had been all but extinguished.

These are words that came to me this morning, as God suddenly laid big cities on my heart. Shall  we call the task of reaching kids in big cities impossible when we have the Lord as our strength.  Well, the answer is certainly “No!, a resounding NO!, with a big swallow following”.   As a missionary  who is called to reach hurting kids in areas of poverty and neglect, the thought of going to big cities seems to overwhelming to even consider.  The thought keeps reoccuring in my mind though, that it may well be a sin not to go.   While I was writing this blog I was particularly enthralled at an interruption  and attempted deletion of my words.    The interruption occurred as I was posting the descriptions of Satan and how He had built a stronghold in the midst of kids in the big city.  As I was looking at the screen, hands in my lap, the cursor started going backwards over my text deleting it. After pushing a number of keys without success, the cursor finally stopped. Then I had the realization that Satan did not want anyone taking an interest in his territory.  I really feel led to go to the enemies camp and take back what he has stolen.    God wants these kids back, and he wants their moms, dads, and neighborhoods back.    If anyone is of the same opinion, and stands for the almighty maker of heaven and earth, would you join me in this.  Stand with us on behalf of children and lets go to battle. Is someone reading this who will pray, someone who will join us on the frontlines, or someone who will support our vision? Our provision  for battle is  God, His Word and His Holy Spirit.  More than enough for an epic battle for truth.  There is a kid praying for deliverance now, who is in the midst of unbelievable hardships and poverty. Wouldn’t it be great to be there and give that kid a hug right now, andOnline Poker ist eine wunderbare Alternative für das online Poker casinospiele gratisкомпютри втора употреба im traditionellen Kasino. to be there for them with a Bridges For Youth Center in their neighborhood?   I think it would be grand.

Pastor Steve

There once was a mom and dad who had a boy and a girl and a happy little family. This whole family thing was pretty picture perfect.   Dad worked hard and helped coach his sons baseball team.   Mom worked at a local daycare part-time and was involved in her daughters brownie troop.

Mom and Dad paid their bills on time, had just a small amount on a single credit card they owed, and were getting along pretty well.  It was then that something totally unexpected happened. Dad’s company closed down were he had worked for 8 years, and suddenly 700 former employees were crowding the unemployment office.  The scenario was worse because of an already existing rise in unemployment and Dad was taking any jobs that he could find to put food on the family table.

In just a few weeks the loss of Dad’s job started to show how susceptible the family was to the loss of their home.  The rent would be late that first month and then despite grasping every opportunity to earn for his family, there just was not enough to pay rent the second month.   It was just 8 weeks after losing his long time job that the phone was ringing again and again and the person on the other end was always the landlord or the credit card company who had not received a payment last month.

The happy little family began to show the wear and tear of their battle to return to normalcy.   It had been 10 weeks since the job loss, and now with the shortage of income and still no permanent full time work for dad, anger began to enter into the marriage.  The anger indeed came from the situation that life had dealt them, but it was a matter of fact that  mom and dad would vent their anger on each other.  Yes, mom and dad were determined not to let this get the better of them, but it seemed as though their happy little family and hope of peace in the storm was fading quickly.

Between 10 and 11 weeks of the job loss and just having sporadic work the family had plunged to a new low.   They had humbly went and applied for food stamp assistance and were grateful that at least the kids would not be hungry.  Yet the little bit that was coming in financially was barely enough to come up with last months rent and live in the house for a few more days, and then next months rent would be due.  As they worried and tried to maintain their composure over the late rent, the utility bill arrived in the mail.  Dad said, “Are you serious?”, how much more can we take.  Just then, the little ones got home from school and their boy reminded them his baseball fee was due and the daughter delightfully reminded them of her brownie troops trip this weekend that she needed some money for.   Mom and dad separated in the living room, mom going into the kitchen were you could hear her noisily putting up dishes and pans. Dad went outside to the garage acting as though he was doing something constructive on his tool bench.  The kids just stood in the living room, knowing somehow not to intrude on either the kitchen or garage.

How impossible the situations that life can bring us in such a short period of time?  All can be well one moment and then just a moment later there is a thunderous storm.  Families must find safe harbor from the storms of life, if they are to survive.   Hope certainly seems elusive in the center of the storm, in the center of the bills and situations, were there appears to be no deliverance.  The story of Jesus and his disciples on a boat illustrates what families feel like when the waves and storms of life come on us unexpectedly.   Jesus was on the boat with his  disciples, just like he is in the house with this family, in the middle of the storm. Satan, the deceiver, certainly wants families to focus on the storms of life, and not on Jesus.   Confidence and trusting in Jesus calms the storm, because just as he spoke and quieted the storm around that boat, he can calm and quiet the storm in anyones life.  Focus on Jesus and give your burdens over to him. I give this advice, because I know it to be true from the storms unexpectedly arisen in my own life.  Jesus said to the storm “Peace be still”,  Mark 4:39

This is child abuse awareness month and probably just about everybody has heard that Greene county has a big problem in this area.   I believe the statistic is 62 out of 1000 in Greene county are victims of child abuse and neglect.  I’m sure anybody who hears this has to be appalled.  There are like 23,000 students just in the Springfield Public school system alone, so thats about 1400 kids impacted right there.  This doesn’t even include all the kids that are not school age.  I heard on a radio talk show today that a large segment of the child abuse and neglect reports are for kids ages 6 and under, so this is a mountain of a problem.  Kids are crying out for help, but who will hear them if there is no one around they feel they can trust to report it to. 

Child abuse and neglect are difficult to deal with, especially when you are on the frontlines. We are in a place that we have voluntarily put ourselves, because we are passionate about helping kids and their families.  Compassion and involvement in the needs and hurts of kids illuminates the need for caring intervention through reporting, and paves the way to restored relationships and stronger families.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

I say often that the Bridges For Youth Centers are on the front lines and in the trenches as we work with kids.   This year alone we are serving 969 registered kids, ages 6-18. These types of numbers always reminds me of the fishes and loaves incident in the Bible.  Two loaves of bread and five fish to feed 5000.  Bridges is on the front lines with our 2 loaves and 5 fish, trusting in God and standing amazed at how He provides to fill the needs of kids, day after day. It should be no surprise that a large segment of these kids are victims of child abuse and neglect.   We have had dozens of  instances down through the years when rape, neglect, physical abuse have been shared with us by kids.   It never gets easier to deal with, and it always leaves a sick feeling in your gut.  Sin is like that. The sin really does make you feel sicker when its close to home though.  Child abuse and neglect is present right among the kids you want to love and protect. Its the kid you played pool with or watched a movie with just last week.  Or its the kids who proudly told you they memorized the Bible verse today. And many times its the kids who has suddenly changed due to abuse. All of a sudden the childish prankster is gone and it seems as though someone has stolen their soul.

There are a few in the Springfield and Marshfield communities who know the value of having the Bridges for Youth centers and our caring staff available to kids. Our prayer is that more people will discover us and understand that we need and value their support.

 I love pictures of Jesus surrounded by children, because that is real to me. Now, we must be Christ like and surround ourselves with children we can embrace and love through the pains of child abuse, neglect, and poverty.

Pastor Steve Hare

Memories flood back unexpectedly. As with most memories I don’t remember all the details.   I do recall that I was on a baseball team and I didn’t have anybody to play catch with me.  Dad worked nights and was usually gone when I got home from school.  I still remember my surprise when mom responded by offering to play catch with me.

 There is still delight at the memory of mom’s participation in that short game of catch.  It was a sunny day and the sun just happened to be right in mom’s eyes. We were having a great time in the three or four throws that were successful. Then there was the blinding light of the sun as I threw the concluding toss that would hit mom smack dab in the mouth and sent remnants of her false teeth to the ground.

My best memory is that she didn’t get mad at me, but just accepted it as one of those things that happens. As life went on I recognized that same positive response came out in her when unexpected and bad things would happen.   This is just one of many memories of a mom who taught positive lessons through the way she responded to life. 

Mom’s name was Zella, which means “Zealous”. That name really fit her, as she was zealous for life.

Pastor Steve 

     Once upon a time in the make believe town of Uveoffendedmeville there was always someone protesting.  The concierege at the hotel I was staying in had a long list of local protests that I could attend on the morrow. 

The highlight of Saturdays protests was just a few blocks away, where a group of churchy folks wanted to put in a homeless shelter and kitchen. Smaller protests were organized in other parts of Uveoffendedmeville, and it really didn’t matter who you were, you could find something to shout about.

A small group would be protesting outside of city hall on Saturday concerning the poor condition of the streets and the canyon sized pot holes.  As I understand it, there had been quite an uproar lately about the closing of a local factory, so several of the former workers and local citizens were planning a vehement protest.

As I settled down in my room that night I had a dozen or so protests that were mulling around in my mind.   I was intent on making a difference and that was the whole idea of this weekend trip to Uveoffendedmeville. “Where?” I asked myself, “Can I protest and manifest a positive change in this community.”  Sleep came to me quickly as I wrestled with the opportunities that were before me.

 Although I had the deluxe suite and had paid out the big bucks to assure a good nights sleep, a night full of contrasting images was what filled my mind and caused me to toss and turn. It was then that the dreamscapes began to take shape, transporting  me into another dimension that revealed hurt, need and discouragement.  

My dream was a journey and it was fueled by thoughts of the protests I had been informed about. I would never hold an actual protest sign in my dream, for as I drew near I was pushed near to the object of the protest itself.    Oblivious to the people and objects of each protest, I was somehow cloaked, being able to observe and listen to the conversations from the other side.

I was struck and in awe as I listened into the conversation of a mom and her two children.  The mom was doing the best she could to make light of their situation, as they lived in their car at the edge of the city park.  How, I do not know, but I could hear her thoughts as she wondered how she would mask her homelessness and keep her job at a local restaurant.   She was troubled, for there was no where to leave her two young children while she worked and even more concerned that someone would find out and they would be taken away. 

Wisked away in the dream,  I could visibly see a man behind a desk, and heard the incessant interruptions of the phone ringing. This was the mayor of Uveoffendedmeville and the level of his frustration was obvious to me. The public was not aware of it, but this man had a servants heart.  Even now, hours after the usual 9-5 city hall hours, he was attending to the community he had served for 17 years.   Some were saying that the city needed a new leader and each new day brought new complaints about the way the city was run and how bad things had gotten.  The mayor felt as though he did not have a friend in the world and was taking inventory of the times anyone had shown their appreciation. Even the local factory closing down was something that he was having to weather as the criticisms continued to flow in.

As I awoke my compassions were fixed on remedying the needs in the community of Uveoffendedmeville and not on protesting the problems. My dreams had brought to light the need for community support for the homeless shelter, for the mom and her kids as well as a  coming together of the community and the mayor to resolve city problems, rather than just protesting them.

I think it is wise to make a difference by expressing the love of Christ Jesus into the needs  at hand.  We will have our disputes and our disagreements, it is sure, but to love is to obey God. To love is to show compassion for the needs of others, putting our protests aside and ministering for the common good.

This particular blog is a make believe town, who’s expressions of protest may well show up at any time or place in our daily lives.   Sometimes unfair things can make me very angry and my first thought is to protest, to express my dissatisfaction, to ramble . These feelings have become more and more short lived in recent years as I realize the fragility and the unknown length of my stay on this earth.  So, as the Bible says I try to labor in love, so that my treasure may be laid up in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy.  

 Onward,   Pastor Steve Hare 

Admiration, respect and honor are not responses that you want to count on drawing your strength from  or depend on, when you are working with at-risk kids.   Yesterday, I walked into a Bridges center to announce that a former pro football player was coming to visit the next day.  You would think the kids would be excited and pay close attention, but that was not the case.   The noise level and chatter rose to a level were they could no longer hear anything I was saying.  If the kids had tomatoes and rotten fruit, I felt like they would probably be throwing them at me.  It felt like I had just told them that summer vacation was cancelled, that there would be no recess, or that we were taking all their youth center games away.  No, I was telling  them some really cool news, a former pro football player was coming to visit.  The whole encounter lasted about 30 seconds and I walked out with my head down, my feelings  hurt and in disbelief at the unexpected response.

There is no one among the staff at Bridges For Youth who has not experienced the hurt feeling dilemna of youth ministry. This is undoubtedly the reason that statistics show that youth workers often experience burnout very early on, and are not able to stay the course for very long. As Christian staff we trust in God to fuel our journey, and we believe that you have to consistently turn to God, so that you can weather the storm.

Being alone in a youth center with even a couple of kids is a recipe for getting your feelings hurt. In 1998 and 1999, I was in just such a situation as the lone staff member at the National Bridges For Youth center.   The number of kids wasn’t overwhelming at the time, as I often had only two of three kids that I would be shepherding. It was a time when God was educating me about at risk kids and I was learning on the job. Save the presence of God I would have perished back then and  my existence and mission would have faded into oblivion. 

The two or three kids in attendance back then would divide and conquer Pastor Steve. While I was attending to one’s needs another would turn all the lights out at the breaker box-that’s why it has a lock on it to this day. They would circle the building, going out the front door and coming through the back.  Frequently they would be annoyed by my attempts to control them and they would leave stating, “They would never come back again!”.   In a short time they would return, smiles on their faces, with another clever childish prank to play on me-that is why kids are not allowed to leave and return the same day anymore.  Basically, my feelings were getting hurt right and left just about eight years ago.   It was  staying on the front lines and coming back day after day that eventually showed the kids that I loved and cared about them.

One particular incident at National stands out, that left me feeling particularly upset. We had a small snack bar at the Bridges center with candy bars and a variety of candy. Two of the kids devised a plan, distracted me and took the snack bar money. I discovered the money was missing but certainly couldn’t prove who took it. The incident left me shaking my head and I felt like someone had just beaten me for no apparent reason. The next two days at the youth center my enthusiasm had waned and my disappointment showed. God renewed me on the third day after the incident, when two boys came to the front door, handed me the money they had stolen and expresed their heartfelt apologies. I still remember the sincere expression on the boys faces, and the remorse for what they had done.

As I verse the memories of my feelings getting hurt there are a flood of memories. Putting yourself in the uncomfortable position of getting your feelings hurt seems to be the inevitable price to have victory in dealing with kids and in building nurturing relationships. God is in control!

“And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

Pastor Steve  (When I am weak, then I am strong)

Ah, to dream the impossible dream. I have dreamed since I was a kid.  It was pretty much daydreaming when I was a little guy.   I would pay good money to remember some of those dreams.   It just so happens that I do remember many of my teenage dreams though.   Animals were always a favorite of mine so I had this ‘Pet farm store dream’ that I had all drawn up.  This one never got off the dream pillow.

Not long ago I started putting quotes in the Bridgebuilder newsletter.  Dale Carnegie’s quote recently caught my eye. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all”.  I can personally relate to this quote and the ‘no hope at all’ journey that we have experienced at Bridges For Youth.  

 You talk about excited, I was energized in February of 1994 when God gave me the vision for Bridges For Youth.  It turns out I was the only one excited though.  The best I could get out of anybody I showed the vision to was a smile and a pat on the back. Things didn’t go as I expected, and no youth center was opened in 1994, or 1995, or 1996 or 1997. 

I dealt with disappointments and the unmet expectations much the same as Theodore Roosevelt’s quote: “Do what you can, with what you have, were you are”.    Things didn’t look good 6 months after the vision was birthed, in the summer of 1994.   July saw the introduction of the Bridge Builder newsletter to kids.  It was published weekly for 3 years and reached over 800 kids at its peak.  There was only an occasional donation back then, so Kathryn and I funded the postage and printing out of our own pocket.     Then in the fall of 1994 we invited 18 middle school kids to our home and started meeting on Monday nights.  We did what we could with what we had, were we were.  

 It took us four and a half years to get to a place were we had an opportunity to get an actual youth center and we still had only one hundred dollars to our name.   God opened the doors for us to proceed, otherwise we would not be were we are now.   We have had no worldly hope or provision at all to get were we are.  This is why I get so excited about what God has done and how He has provided for these youth centers. I know above anyone else that it was absolutely impossible.   In fact, guess what, it is still impossible right now. 

There may seem to be no hope at all, but we boldly go forward with confidence in our God.

Pastor Steve hare

Something has always seemed strange to me as a Pastor.  There are a quantity and diversity of needs that Billy and Susan present as you encounter them each day at a Bridges for Youth center.   Approaching these needs as a caring adult, you want to fix and repair all the needs.   Jesus would not be wanting any of these little ones to suffer and neither did we. Anyhow, in the midst of all the problems that kids carry with them, we discover it is impossible  to check very many of their needs off of a list.

Billy is eight years old and has a voice that is like a roaring lion. His voice never lowers but resounds with a thundering quality that demands attention.   It takes a great deal of patience to communicate with Billy without getting into a shouting match.  There is no argument here between the adult mentor and Billy, only  an intensive encounter so that Billy can determine how far you are willing to go in reaching out to him.    Billy is wondering, “Is this adult just like all the others?”, and “Will he abandon me also?, just like all the other adults in my life.” Fatigue starts to show on the adult mentor, but strangely, to Billy anyway, this adult is strangely staying the course. Billy will not admit it until months later, but this adult mentor has become a strong influence and encouragement in his life.   Problems and challenges that Billy faced were constantly being communicated to staff, and it had occurred to Billy more than once that they were like family to him.   Billy had problems and needs that staff were able to remedy almost immediately by having a nurturing relationship with him, and then there were those other problems that had to be surrendered to God.   Not unlike hundreds of other kids in the area, Billy’s father was not a part of his life, and he was being raised by his mother.    Billy had a great mom, but she couldn’t replace the abandonment and hurt of a dad who apparently wanted nothing to do with Billy or his two sisters. Few worked harder than Billy’s mom to provide, but often it just wasn’t enough and the utilities would be cut off or they would get way behind on rent. As adult mentors and Christians we discover that we help in these situations by surrendering the impossible to God, and then we watch as God responds to our cries for help.

Susan was so quiet and shy when we met her that it took a lot of  time to get her to open up. A 12 year old, Susan had what I would say was a very difficult life. You could see in her eyes what she was thinking as she looked into the adult mentors eyes, “Can I trust this person with my hurt?”. It would be two months later before Susan had the confidence to share, and then the trust and healing started to show after that. There were some very hard truths that were hidden in the recesses of Susan’s heart.    The recurring thoughts of worthlessness were triggered by rememberances of an abusive father who was no longer in her life.  The undignified assault on her was enlarged by a mother who did not care about her and who was in jail for drug use. Susan was now living with a relative, and was the only option outside of foster care. Her visits to the youth center and talks with the adult mentor became cherished moments in her day.   Susan had a chance to dialogue with a favorite staff member about the days events, and the love that she received would give her renewed hope.  Always greeted with a hug when she arrived, Susan had a sense that these people were like Jesus to her.  Susan would become talkative and comfortable at Bridges after a few months. Susan’s  severed relationships with both her mom and dad continued to stir hurtful feelings. The harsh  reality of what had happened to Susan were not lost in the daily conversations with Bridges staff. Impossible for a human to fix or repair we surrender Susan’s troubles to God.   God will be attentive to Susan’s cries for healing and there will be a victory.

These above are not real kids, but real problems that the kids we see deal with each day.    The stories are a reflection of how a simple little youth center with a loving, caring staff can make a positive impact on kids.  All this, not through our own strength, but through a surrendering to God and His omnipotence and love for His children.

 Pastor Steve Hare

I met Bob in 1999 at the Bridges For Youth center on National.  He was one of the first adults I encountered in ministry there.  There were no kids at the center when Bob came through the front door, and I still to this day think this all happened so I could be attentive to his needs.

While listening to Bob, I quickly gathered that he missed his father who had passed away some years ago and that he had a difficult time understanding his mother and her ways.   He talked about the days when he had a sign business and it was obvious he really missed it.   A musical career and a touch of elusive success in a band, was something Bob spoke of with excitement.   A song he had written was used without permission and without compensation.  Bob had traveled around and seen much of the country, and he had colorful stories about his adventures.  He wore a smile and also donned that disgusted look when you talked about something that bothered him.  Bob’s clothes weren’t the best, and he had a mountain man look about him.  There was a profound interest in Bob to share his testimony in front of churches, but none that I know of ever allowed it.  This bothered him immensely.  Almost every month Bob would get some assistance money so he would be able to eat, but he gave most of the money to homeless men and women he would cross paths with, so they could eat.  He worried that the wrong people would find out he was helping others and take away the assistance.  Feeling his passion for music and knowing that he didn’t have a guitar, I bought one for the youth center and allowed him to come and play.  Several times we allowed Bob to take the guitar and use his musical talents on South Street in Springfield.   I remember going to watch him perform on the streets and how much I enjoyed this man.  He could really play that guitar.  Bob was always wanting to help at the youth centers in what ever way he could.   I don’t know how many times he did face painting, but it was a bunch.  He free hand painted Bridges For Youth above the snack bar at Nichols Street in 2001 and he painted a bridge and Welcome to Bridges at the front door. Most of all he was a good friend and someone I dearly miss.  You see, Bob was a homeless man, and one who was accustomed to that lifestyle.   I accepted him as  a colorful man and one who was honest and sincere.   I count myself blessed that I knew him and that he shared his life with me.    In honor of Bob,   Pastor Steve

Since I take advantage of this blog to express my disappointments and discouragements, I have to take this opportunity to rejoice in a recent victory for our Bridges for Youth Centers.  Being financially dependent on God is a difficult thing to communicate and deal with , but the inevitable deliverance of God is something we have grown to expect. God never fails us.

Last week we received a matching donation opportunity of $10,000. Every dollar up to that amount will be matched by the anonymous donor.  It is God’s deliverance for us at this appointed time. The memorable times in the Bridges for Youth ministry have been the times that God has delivered, not the times when we were in need.  God has never failed  to deliver us from these difficult financial challenges and that is so thrilling and energizing.   Each new deliverance brings you closer into the throneroom of God and His presence.

Today and this hour is a good time to give God the glory.   I thank Him for the valleys of impossiblilities.   I thank Him for the impossible opportunities in the future that will not yield a sensible worldly way to achieve them.  I pray that we, at the Bridges For Youth centers, will go forward each day in faith and yield to God and His voice.  Laying all impossibilities aside I pray for the strength and passion to minister to the lost and the hurting.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him-so let our faith be action and a moving forward, not yielding to the impossible of what is seen, but yielding to the God who is unseen.

Taking a victory lap and raising the Lord’s banner high, giving Him the glory!

Pastor Steve Hare